Spain attracts tourists and international students alike, from all over the world. Being an international student in a new city, while adjusting to their way of life and navigating through language barriers can be daunting.
Finding the right accommodation is crucial to your time spent there. To make the most of your experience, this article will help you understand your options, budgeting tips, and ways to make your stay comfortable.
| Table of contents | |
| 1. | How to find accommodation |
| 2. | What to expect from your apartment |
| 3. | Cost and expenditure |
| 4. | Safety tips |
1.How to find accommodation in Spain as a student
For a student traveling to a foreign country, the task of searching for accommodation precedes any other booking preparations. When I moved to Cordoba, I stayed in a shared apartment with two Moroccan and two Spanish girls. It was the most accommodating blend of affordability and a lively atmosphere of constant cultural exchanges. Living in a centrally located apartment made commuting easier, alongside providing many pathways for utilities and entertainment.
The best method to approach safe booking practices is contacting landlords through trusted websites online.
Some of the most reliable websites for apartments are the following:
1. Uniplaces
2.Spotahome
3.Idealista
4.Fotocasa
5.ErasmusU
What to expect from your apartment
When searching for a suitable apartment, one must be familiar with the options available, and whether the flat meets their requirements or not. Here you can find a brief description about the options available in the types of apartments:
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- University Dormitories
The dormitory rooms are best explained on the university website best suited to the student, which often includes holistic provision of basic amenities.
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- Shared apartments
The shared apartments are the most common and economical option for students. It refers to a fully furnished apartment with several rooms (upto 5) that provide the student their personal space. The apartment also includes a balcony, a living room, a kitchen, and a bathroom which are often shared spaces. Some apartments may have more than one bathroom. These apartments are larger overall, and also instill a sense of community in the residents, allowing cultural exchanges and bonding due to the system of sharing their space.
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- Private apartments
Private apartments are ideal for students seeking an independent living and personal space. They cost relatively more as the responsibility falls entirely onto the single resident of the apartment. It is often secluded from the student community residential locations.
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- Homestays
The homestay option essentially places the student in the care of a host family of locals. It allows for cultural immersion and safety, along with regular availability of meals, but takes away from the independence of the student. Some families may even prefer setting ground rules and curfews.
Costs and expenditure
The cost of living will differ greatly depending on your location of residence, more specifically, the popularity of the city. The prices will be relatively low in smaller, less populated, or less mainstream cities in comparison to tourism hotspots.
The average prices for accommodation per month:
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- University dormitories
The prices range from 300 eur to 800 eur, depending on the location and facilities available for the students, provided by the respective university.
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- Shared apartments
The prices range from 200 eur to 600 eur per room. The apartments are usually fully furnished, with a common television, kitchen appliances, and other household items that qualify as essentials. The price may or may not include the water and electricity bill. The additional costs include security deposit and personal purchases.
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- Private apartments
The prices range from 500 eur to 1200 eur for a one bedroom apartment.
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- Homestays
The prices range from 500 eur to 900 eur, which includes meals.
Safety Tips
While considering living independently, students often wonder about the safety and security of their arrangements. Some ways to ensure the same are given below:
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- Rental clauses: Reading carefully and understanding the terms of the lease, including deposit, rent payment, and termination clauses is essential to avoid being taken advantage of, or misinterpreting information.
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- Search for a secure neighborhood: Maintaining safety and avoiding involvement in criminal activity, as well as avoiding dangerous circumstances in the residential area is important for students.
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- Close proximity to your study center: By living in close proximity to the study center, a student can avail a variety of benefits, such as cheaper rent, walkable distance, avoiding transportation, and residence in a student occupied location meaning being surrounded by companions regularly.
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- Language: Spain is closely interwoven with the Spanish language, wherein one must be familiar with the basic terms and phrases in order to ease into their academic tenure. This would be quite useful when interacting with new flatmates or landlords regarding accommodation.
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- Connect: Making an effort to connect and familiarize oneself with a professor, your landlord, a fellow student, etc. can prove extremely helpful when in need of introduction into the city and its ways.
Finding the right accommodation in Spain as a student involves much research and planning, but it’s worth it for a smooth and enjoyable experience. Start your search early, use reliable platforms, and consider your budget and preferences. Share your own experiences in the comments or reach out with questions, if any. Happy apartment hunting!
Article written by: Anushka Verma
Former Erasmus student from India in Córdoba (Spain)
